We’re All In This Together
Being a parent during a pandemic is not for the weak at heart. There is no handbook on the best parenting practices to survive a quarantine or articles on what is best practice when trying to raise little humans while the world shuts down. But one thing I know, we are all trying our best. I talk to parents everyday and they say the same thing, “parenting is extra tough” or “my kids are really trying my patience”! So, if you have lost your cool on the kids once or twice, know we have all been there. Kids are losing it too. Think about it, our world has been turned upside down. We come from a world where we were always on the go. Not only school and work, but sports, hobbies, church, out to eat, shopping and the list goes on. Now we are reduced to a confined space, with limited activities and even more limited contact with friends and family.
So here are some things that are okay while you are quarantined to your little space:
Stay in your pajamas all day, of course
Dry shampoo….like 5 days in a row of spraying that miracle worker on your hair
Lunch at 2pm or breakfast at 2pm
Cereal for breakfast AND dinner
Hiding in the bathroom for a while, a girl needs her space!
Leaving your vacuum out because you know that you’ll be vacuuming up crumbs about 10 times a day
Putting dirty dishes in a clean dishwasher and rerunning it a second time
Turning off the news and watch Jim and Pam’s wedding for the 237th time
Save the schoolwork for after dinner or maybe even skip a day…heaven forbid!
Order take out 3 days a week
Playing Clue everyday at lunch …..for 30 days
Bake. Really what else do I need to say?
But it’s also okay to
Cry
Have a ton of emotions that range from anger to disappointment to sadness
Want things to change
Question authority and our elected officials
Seek professional health
In the end, whatever you do, know you are a good parent who wants good things for your children, and you would move heaven and earth to keep them safe. Remember, we are all in this together. So whatever you have to do or not do during this time….it’s okay.
Go easy on yourself,
Steph Chambers M.Ed
